In mice, a drug that blocks the opioid receptors in the pain neurons outside the brain and spinal cord appears to counteract two of the most problematic side effects of opioids while still allowing effective pain relief.

As part of his quest to make science tools available to everyone, everywhere, Manu Prakash has invented a $1 microscope, a $5 chemistry set and a 20-cent centrifuge. His next goal? Creating a $100 scanning electron microscope.